insanity defense

Using the trial of Herbert Weinstein, a sixty-five year old man who murdered his wife and was later found to have a cyst on his brain, the author discusses the use of neuroscience in the courtroom as a defense.

Describes how the lives of philosopher-patriot Okawa Shumei and U.S. Army psychiatrist Major Daniel Jaffe converged at the Tokyo war crimes trials of 1946. Civilian Okawa was charged with crimes against humanity, and Jaffe was assigned to determine Okawa's ability to stand trial, and thus his fate.

Contains essays that provide varying perspectives on issues related to mental health reform, discussing laws regulating inpatient and outpatient commitment, the right to control treatment, and the cost to society.

Discusses the insanity defense, covering its history, individual cases in which it has been used, and prevalent myths surrounding it.